town, southern Ghana. Its growth was stimulated by the discovery of a large gold deposit in 1897 and the building of the railway from Sekondi in 1902. The Asante gold mine at Obuasi has continued as the country's major producer while others have become depleted. It is one of the world's richest gold mines in terms of yield per ton of ore. By the end of the 20th century, it was the 10th largest gold mine in the world.

Although mining is dominant, the town's economy has become diversified through commerce and cocoa production. Migrant labour from northern Ghana and neighbouring countries has swelled the town's population. In the surrounding area, agriculture is dominated by cash crops, and thus food and other basic commodities must be imported for the primarily industrial workers of the town. A mosque serves the Muslim population. Pop. (2002 est.) 122,600.